Subbie got off the mark as a four-year-old for the first time in a competitive Restricted Allowance IV (NW3) call for Native-bred four-year-old and upward at Caymanas Park on Saturday. But the Deputy Glitters bay colt by the Region Of Merit mare Anna had to do it the hard way.

Coming late from off the pace to be in contention, Subbie, ridden by the non-claiming apprentice rider Bebeto Harvey, encountered traffic problems on entering the final 400 metres of the race while trying to settle down for the home run.

Harvey then had to change directions to get a clear run, and that he found by only going wide. Now finding the space on the outside, Harvey then brought Subbie with a pulverising run in the final 50 metres to nip the 2-1 favourite Winter Is Coming, ridden by inform jockey Gary Richards, at the wire by a short head for the win.

Subbie, trained by Gary Subratie for owner SAS and breeder Stafford Subratie, completed 1,600 metres in a time of 1:41.4. The victory was the colt’s third win from 30 career starts and his first of nine as a four-year-old. The win by Subbie pocketed the sum of $354,000 as the winner’s share.

Winter Is Coming, a dark bay gelding, was attempting the open his four-year-old account from 11 starts, but he unsuccessfully tracked the leaders from fifth position before he shot to the front from around the 300-metre marker.

His effort faded a bit in the final rush for the wire and he had to settle for second money. Blue Tradition, ridden by the leading rider Anthony Thomas and who shared the early lead with Regal Prospector and the Deal Marker, took third money with Regal Prospector completing the frame.

Trainer Subratie who is enjoying a fine spell spoke afterwards with The Supreme Racing Guide.

“I thought the race ran right into his lap. As you saw, there was a lot of speed up front. I thought Winter Is Coming was chasing a little at the back, but we knew in the end Subbie would be coming, so it was whether or not he will get a clear run and he almost loss because of interference in the straight. You noticed he got bogged down so that he had to come outside. And every time he went outside a horse drifted out on him, so the jockey had to keep checking and checking. Without these interference, he would have won much easier.” Subratie surmised.

In an attempt to evaluate Subbie as a worthy racing prospective, trainer Subratie gave his analysis.

“He is a nice little horse. I will not say that he is a Grade One horse, but he will win his races, depending on which races he enters, and is capable enough to earn his keep,” Subratie, who lies third on the trainers championship standings, said.